Father Amaladoss, 49, a priest in St. Anthony’s parish, Indalaparai, is recovering in a hospital in Madurai after he was beaten by a group of Sri Lankan refugees on Friday.

They accuse Fr Amaladoss of abusing one of his fifth-grade students at a primary school where he teaches in Adiyanoorthu refugee camp, a temporary home for thousands of Tamils who fled Sri Lanka’s civil war.

The girl’s family has filed a complaint with police.

“We are in dialogue with both parties to resolve the issue,” said Father Arockiaswamy, Vicar-General of Dindigual diocese in which Sindalaipaarai parish is located.